Exploring Norwegian BirchYear: 2024
Master’s thesis



Birch is Norway’s most abundant hardwood, yet it’s still mostly burned as firewood.

In my master’s thesis, I explored its potential through four different design approaches:


steam-bending

upcycling

precision machining

weaving in tension



The results are a series of material-driven prototypes that highlight what birch can become when treated with care, curiosity, and craft.
















KURV
 lounge chair




A lounge chair with a frame of straight, round birch poles and a woven seat and back under tension. 

The interplay of rigid poles and flexible weave creates a springy, ergonomic seat rooted in contemporary Nordic craftsmanship.















ASTRI
stool





A steam‑bent, interlocking three‑legged stool that packs flat and assembles with a single stainless‑steel bolt—the only metal component in the whole project.

The stools’ curved forms and minimalist joinery highlight birch’s strength and material honesty.















RUMMY
 set




A complete Rummy set in birch, demonstrating that wood can match plastics for fine detail and durability. 

Tight tolerances and clean edges show how digital fabrication elevates traditional material to modern applications.




 









VED1&2
    form studies








Small tables made from Norwegian firewood logs.

Burned and oiled surfaces transform a low value resource into refined, functional pieces, while retaining the log’s natural geometry.





© Jonas Selvikvåg,  2025